Colour & Materials

Materials Evolution A/W 27/28

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Marian Berelowitz

Exhibitions act as global cultural barometers – capturing the zeitgeist, exposing consumers to shifting aesthetic currents, and spotlighting rising creatives and cultural values. In the first instalment of our biannual round-up, we highlight nine exhibition trends set to influence ideas, products, design and fabrication across a host of industries.

Exhibitions act as global cultural barometers – capturing the zeitgeist, exposing consumers to shifting aesthetic currents, and spotlighting rising creatives and cultural values. In the first instalment of our biannual round-up, we highlight nine exhibition trends set to influence ideas, products, design and fabrication...

Global Exhibition Trends 2026: Part One

Alice Leeburn

Chloe Frost

Forming part of our Future Flavours Forecast 26/27, this report comprises three visual themes devised by Stylus’s Colour &amp; Materials team. Building on our <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://app.stylus.com/colour-materials/colour-material-directions-a-w-26-27" target="_blank" class="Hyperlink SCXW421785 BCX0">A/W 26/27 Directions</a>, it translates the key flavour and taste sensations for 2026 into actionable colour palettes and inspirational aesthetics to inform packaging, products, food styling, kitchen interiors and dining experiences. The <a id="menurihn" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27" target="_blank" title="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" aria-label="Link Future Flavours Forecast 26/27">Future Flavours Forecast 26/27</a> consists of four reports. Also read <a id="menurihp" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27-radical-sweetness" target="_blank" title="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27-radical-sweetness" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" aria-label="Link Radical Sweetness">Radical Sweetness</a>, <a id="menurihr" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27-sharp-savoury" target="_blank" title="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27-sharp-savoury" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" aria-label="Link Sharp &amp; Savoury">Sharp &amp; Savoury</a> and <a id="menuriht" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27-global-flavour-escapism" target="_blank" title="https://app.stylus.com/food-beverage/future-flavours-forecast-26-27-global-flavour-escapism" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" aria-label="Link Global Flavour Escapism">Global Flavour Escapism</a>.

Food & Beverage

Future Flavours Forecast: 26/27 – Visual Directions

Forming part of our Future Flavours Forecast 26/27, this report comprises three visual themes devised by Stylus’s Colour &amp; Materials team. Building on our <a rel="noreferrer noopener"...

Fiona Coleman

Emily Gordon-Smith

Emotional resonance was the focus at <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.premierevision.com/en" target="_blank">Première Vision S/S 27</a> (February 3-5) – an event defined by sensorial colour and material tactility, as well as nostalgia and references to the natural world. Our three reports distil the highlights from the leading biannual fashion fabrics trade show, spanning colour, print and pattern, and material and finish.

Event Coverage

Emotional resonance was the focus at <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.premierevision.com/en" target="_blank">Première Vision S/S 27</a> (February 3-5) – an event defined by sensorial colour and material tactility, as well as nostalgia and references to the natural world. Our three reports distil the highlights from...

Première Vision S/S 2027: Key Trends

Building on our <a href="https://app.stylus.com/colour-materials/cmf-industry-view-automotive-26-27">CMF Industry View: Automotive 26/27</a> report, we outline the colour and material strategies and initiatives set to drive sustainability forward for the industry – covering future-proof materials and resilient supply chains, efficient painting technologies, high-quality recyclates and consciously designed interiors.

Automotive’s Sustainable Future: Colour & Material Strategies

Building on our <a href="https://app.stylus.com/colour-materials/cmf-industry-view-automotive-26-27">CMF Industry View: Automotive 26/27</a> report, we outline the colour and material strategies and initiatives set to drive sustainability forward for the industry – covering future-proof materials and resilient supply...

Laurence Pasquier-Sevy

Retro-modernist nostalgia, darkly enigmatic colour and playful eccentricity are driving home interior aesthetics, accessorised with quirky, decorative products that add even more personality. From ethereal softness to tactile metallics, and humble hands-on creativity to process-driven meticulous craftsmanship, we highlight the key colour, material and finish (CMF) trends emerging across the industry.

CMF Industry View: Home Interiors & Accessories 26/27

Retro-modernist nostalgia, darkly enigmatic colour and playful eccentricity are driving home interior aesthetics, accessorised with quirky, decorative products that add even more personality. From ethereal softness to tactile metallics, and humble hands-on creativity to process-driven meticulous craftsmanship, we...

Alongside a welcome dose of joy (via creative customisation and quirky colours), this year’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ces.tech/" target="_blank">CES</a> (January 6-9) had a strong focus on refined yet seriously durable designs and optimised tech experiences. We round up the key colour, material and finish (CMF) trends and sustainable innovations shaping the consumer electronics landscape.

Alongside a welcome dose of joy (via creative customisation and quirky colours), this year’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ces.tech/" target="_blank">CES</a> (January 6-9) had a strong focus on refined yet seriously durable designs and optimised tech experiences. We round up the key colour, material and finish...

CES 2026: Colour, Material & Finish

Every year, numerous authorities and manufacturers assert their own Colour of the Year suggestions and/or curated palettes as a reflection of the current zeitgeist. We distil the key colour trends, themes and notable launches set to define 2026, from organisations including <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.pantone.com/uk/en/" target="_blank">Pantone</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners" target="_blank">Sherwin-Williams</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dulux.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dulux</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lick.com/uk" target="_blank">Lick</a>.

Every year, numerous authorities and manufacturers assert their own Colour of the Year suggestions and/or curated palettes as a reflection of the current zeitgeist. We distil the key colour trends, themes and notable launches set to define 2026, from organisations including <a rel="noopener"...

Colour Launches for 2026

Driven by themes of positive protest, joyful hedonism and whimsical nostalgia, contemporary graphic design and illustration have the power to elevate a host of products, spaces and services. We’ve curated 12 distinctive visual directions to inspire fashion, beauty, interiors, food and beyond, from ghostly, blurred imagery to collegiate sports styling, and goth rock horror to vintage ephemera.

Graphics & Illustration Trend Showcase 26/27

Driven by themes of positive protest, joyful hedonism and whimsical nostalgia, contemporary graphic design and illustration have the power to elevate a host of products, spaces and services. We’ve curated 12 distinctive visual directions to inspire fashion, beauty, interiors, food and beyond, from ghostly, blurred...

Colour & Materials Team

A collective desire for deeper meaning informs Elemental, a calm, purpose-driven direction that inspires more considered, intentional daily rituals. The revival of ancient traditions and techniques offers hope for a more sustainable circular future, balancing radical practicality, modularity and elemental connection with poetic sensory design. This reverence for the past teams richly pigmented hard materials and glowing stained-glass colour with soft, delicate pastel accents, while raw earthy clays and aged patinas celebrate eroded, authentically time-worn surfaces and living colour.

Directions

Colour & Material Directions A/W 27/28: Elemental

A collective desire for deeper meaning informs Elemental, a calm, purpose-driven direction that inspires more considered, intentional daily rituals. The revival of ancient traditions and techniques offers hope for a more sustainable circular future, balancing radical practicality, modularity and elemental connection...

Legacy reflects a desire to slow down, reconnect and live with intention. As algorithmic sameness and fleeting microtrends saturate culture, instinctive taste and personal rituals are reclaimed as quiet forms of intelligence. Heritage, domesticity and community take on renewed value, signalling a shift towards meaningful living. 
Timeless aesthetics are reimagined with joyful eccentricity and vintage charm. A playful palette blends whimsical pastels and heritage hues with grounding neutrals, while tactile materials and handcrafted details evoke warmth and enduring character.

Colour & Material Directions A/W 27/28: Legacy

Legacy reflects a desire to slow down, reconnect and live with intention. As algorithmic sameness and fleeting microtrends saturate culture, instinctive taste and personal rituals are reclaimed as quiet forms of intelligence. Heritage, domesticity and community take on renewed value, signalling a shift towards...

Pulse is a spirited direction underpinned by vibrant storytelling and defiant human creativity. It champions analogue practices and hands-on making to counter digital fatigue while pioneering purposeful design to nurture future resilience. Energised brights layer with anchoring greys in a reflection of online/offline tensions, and lo-fi tactility blends with dreamlike visuals to evoke retro sensibilities and carefree times. An emboldened, experimental mood permeates craft narratives through playful juxtapositions, imperfect surfaces and joyful reworkings of waste materials.

Colour & Materials Directions A/W 27/28: Pulse

Pulse is a spirited direction underpinned by vibrant storytelling and defiant human creativity. It champions analogue practices and hands-on making to counter digital fatigue while pioneering purposeful design to nurture future resilience. Energised brights layer with anchoring...

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Materials Evolution A/W 27/28